Elmhurst schools to upgrade video cameras

Most of the new equipment will go to York High School

February 11, 2013|By Graydon Megan, Special to the Tribune

A $15,000 project to upgrade video cameras at York Community High School is part of an ongoing plan to improve safety and security in all Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 schools, according to Melea Smith, director of communications and public relations.

"We're looking at this as a districtwide effort," she said. "Our equipment is outdated, and we realized it was something we had to do."

This year's budget includes $8,000 for a new server and $7,000 for cameras, including nine new digital units and upgrades to 38 analog cameras to make them compatible with the digital system, said David Smith, the district's director of technology.

Most of the new equipment will go to York, but David Smith said some money would be available to add cameras at other locations if needed.

He said the plan was to have the server system installed and running and at least some cameras put in over spring break the last week of March.

"Anybody with access permission can monitor the cameras over the network," said David Smith, adding that access can also be made available to public safety providers. "We'll set up a way for the (Elmhurst) Police Department to have access to the video feed. We'll configure the system so they can tap in (during) an emergency situation."

Melea Smith said the enhanced video surveillance was just part of the district's approach to safety and building security.

"We do have secure entrances at all our schools with cameras," she said. "Those have been done over the last couple of years."

The district has a system that scans the driver's license or other state-issued identification of school visitors to screen for sex offenders.

David Smith said he hoped another $15,000 would be available for additional video cameras in the next fiscal year, part of an ongoing program that could stretch over two or three years.

"We're doing the best we can with what we have," he said, "and we're having discussions on how we can ratchet that up."